News

Shortlist for health supremo

THE head of the Number 10 delivery unit Ian Watmore, a former boss of Accenture, has emerged as a candidate to become the new chief executive of the NHS.

Watmore’s name is understood be on a lengthy wish-list compiled by headhunters.

Other possibles include Tim Smart, head of BT’s Global Services division in the UK, and Sir Alan Craft, chairman of the Academy of Medical Royal Colleges.

It is not known if any of the three has been approached about the job, which has been vacant since Sir Nigel Crisp resigned in March.

Sir Nigel combined the job with being permanent secretary at the Department of Health.

Appointment of a new chief executive, which is being handled by headhunters Russell Reynolds Associates, has taken on renewed importance with revelations last week of a deepening cash crisis at the NHS.